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Matthew 16 General Notes
Special concepts in this chapter
Bread
Bread is a special image in 16:5-12. Jesus used his disciples' discussion about bread to warn them against the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees. He spoke of these teachings as if they were yeast, the ingredient that causes bread to rise before it is baked.
At the same time, the mention of bread in this chapter is meant to remind the readers that Jesus fed the five thousand with bread (see: Matthew 14:13-21) and also the four thousand (see: Matthew 15:29-39). The implication is that Jesus gives good "bread" (teaching), but that the Pharisees and Sadducees do not.
Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter
Matthew 16:21 forms a break in the narrative. At this point, Matthew makes a comment about Jesus' actions that will extend into the future. It is important that the translator clearly signal that this comment is about the future, embedded in the narrative.
The use of paradox
A paradox is a seemingly absurd statement, which appears to contradict itself, but it is not absurd. A paradox occurs in this chapter: "Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 16:24-28).